TOKYO (Reuters) - The chief U.S. negotiator for North
Korean nuclear talks will visit the reclusive state next week
for talks with a senior official and to monitor the disabling
of nuclear facilities, Kyodo news agency reported on Wednesday.

Senior U.S. envoy Christopher Hill will visit North Korea
from December 3-5 and meet his North Korean counterpart Kim
Kye-gwan, Kyodo reported, quoting a U.S. government official.

U.S. nuclear experts have been in North Korea to disable
the Yongbyon reactor by the end of the year. North Korea closed
down its main nuclear reactor in July under a deal reached in
February with China, Japan, the United States, South Korea and
Russia.

Impoverished North Korea has agreed to disable its nuclear
facilities and eventually dismantle them in exchange for
massive aid and better diplomatic ties with Washington and
Tokyo. Hill is expected to arrive in Tokyo on Wednesday before
heading to Seoul on Thursday, Kyodo said.

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After leaving North Korea he will travel to Beijing on
December 5, it said.